Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Some food for thought to start the day:

"Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ...voice or no voice the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
- Hermann Goering, quoted in Gustave Gilbert's Nuremburg Diary

(Got this one from Caterina via Eric by way of Zach who first saw it posted by Jason. Whew!)

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A weather observation from my dad:

"I was reading your blog just now and ran across your message of last Friday about being more than ready for springtime. A few minutes earlier, I ran across an anonymous saying that seems to fit this morning's weather (it's snowing here at [work]): 'The principle function of the month of March is to use up the winter weather that wouldn't fit in February.'"

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It should not be inferred from the identical formatting of the above two thoughts that I in any way equate my father with Hermann Goering. Dad's obviously an infinitely more honorable guy. Plus, I think Goering was a snappier dresser.

Posted @ 8:55 AM

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